Veteran sports writer Jim Utter covers NASCAR for The Charlotte Observer and its racing site, ThatsRacin.com. In this space, Jim writes about all things NASCAR and other forms of racing which may also be relevant ... or not.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Well, not the real drivers, but cut-outs of each of them. The cut-outs will be photographed around the Charlotte area this week and if race fans can guess correctly where they are appearing, they can win driver apparel.

Beginning today, the team will kick-off the “Hide and Tweet” contest across their social media platforms. Each day this week, two photographs will be released on Facebook and promoted on Twitter, and fans will have the opportunity to guess which local landmark the drivers are visiting.

Fans will be allowed to submit their answers on the team’s Facebook page and the first person to guess where they were will win driver merchandise compliments of the team.

The contest will run twice per day through Saturday's Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In order to participate in the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing “Hide and Tweet” contest, fans can “Like” its Facebook page and “Follow” @EGRTeams on Twitter.

This week's special activities:Tuesday - Race week events at the NASCAR Hall kick off with five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson. Guests are invited to join media for a special announcement and 30-minute Q&A session with Johnson in Great Hall at 2 p.m.

Wednesday - Race fans can witness a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 2:30 p.m. in the Great Hall with Kerry Earnhardt to launch the Earnhardt Collection by Schumacher Homes.

Saturday - 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Darrell Waltrip starts the day at 9:30 a.m. with an autograph session for NASCAR Hall of Fame Members. He will participate in a fan Q&A session at 10:30 a.m. in the Great Hall for all visitors.

Sunday - Fans can continue their race weekend experience meeting living legends of the sport at the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s 2012 Inductee Day. 2012 Inductees Dale Inman, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough will be onsite for a Q&A session from 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Plus NASCAR Hall of Fame Members are invited to attend an autograph session from noon – 1 p.m. Legends Members receive the maximum face-to-face time with Inductees at a private reception attended by the Inductees at 1:30 p.m.

Guests also can lace up their running shoes and do a little racing of their own at 10 a.m. Sunday in the second annual Kasey Kahne Foundation “Five Kahne.” The run begins at Bank of America Stadium and concludes at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and includes a 5K run and a Kid’s Dash. Following the run, fans can participate in a Q&A session with Kahne. Online registration is open at http://runforyourlife.com/events. Registration begins at $10 for children and $20 for adults. Packages including admission to the NASCAR Hall of Fame also are available.